Federal Direct Stafford Loans

Continuing your education is a major investment in your future. If you decide to make loans a part of this investment, managing the amount of debt you incur is a major responsibility. To ensure that you understand this responsibility, and the obligations that you are assuming, the Federal Government requires you to participate in Loan Entrance Counseling (EC) and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to receiving a Direct Stafford Student Loan. Below you will find the loan application guidelines and instructions for Fresno City College.

**************************************************************

Applying for a Federal Direct Stafford Student Loan at Fresno City College

Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units of non-remedial/non-ESL coursework

BEFORE YOU COMPLETE THE MPN AND/OR EC YOU MUST VISIT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IN PERSON TO DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND COMPLETE THE LOAN QUESTIONNAIRE.

After completing the Loan Questionnaire, follow the steps below:

Before you begin…

Refer to the instruction slip you received in the Financial Aid Office after submitting your Loan Questionnaire to determine if you need to complete the EC, MPN, or both.

You will need your FSA ID to complete the EC and MPN online. If you have forgotten your username or password visit www.studentaid.gov/login to find links that give you the option of retrieving your username or password through your verified e-mail address or by successfully answering your challenge questions.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. Keep printouts of your confirmation pages and MPN in the event that proof of completion is requested.

If required to complete the MPN, you must provide the name, address and phone number for two references. Please have this information with you before beginning your MPN.

If you need help with completing the online loan application process, you may visit the Financial Aid Computer Lab in LI-123 for assistance.

Step #1: Entrance Counseling (EC)

Entrance Counseling is a requirement that provides you with all the information you need to know about the terms and conditions of the loan, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. Follow the instructions below to complete the EC:

The MPN is a legal binding document. When signed, it signifies your understanding of the rights and responsibilities, your acceptance of the terms and conditions of the loan, and your agreement to repay. Follow the instructions below to complete the MPN:

Click the start button next to "MPN for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans"

READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

After you have finished the online process…

Remember to click the “Logout” link to exit your online session.

Fresno City College will receive the results of your Entrance Counseling quiz and/or MPN electronically. You do NOT need to return copies to the office.

KEEP COPIES OF YOUR QUIZ AND MPN RESULTS in the event that the electronic results are not submitted properly.

Please allow up to FOUR WEEKS processing time after completing both steps. You will receive loan award notification by email .

**For additional loan counseling, please follow these steps:**

Complete Financial Awareness Counseling at www.StudentLoans.gov. Once you have successfully completed the counseling, click on Export Budget / Repayment to print out your budget. Submit this form as well as all other requested documents to the Financial Aid Office for review. Attach a typed, double-spaced page answering the following questions:

For what purposes do you intend to use the federal student loan funds?

If over the loan maximum, what are the circumstances that have resulted in the accumulation of your student loan debt?

If requesting an additional unsubsidized loan, what are your financial plans to continue your education in the future semesters without exceeding the loan maximum?

Requested loan amount

**************************************************************

LOAN DISBURSEMENT DATE CHART

Refer to the charts below to determine your anticipated disbursement date (your actual disbursement date will be verified on your loan award notification). The disbursement date is determined by the date that you complete your EC and/or MPN requirements:

FALL 2016

Students with Pell eligibility of:

Must complete

Direct Loan Questionnaire/

Entrance Counseling/MPN

**To receive Payment

$0 for the 16-17 academic year (continuing borrowers only)

07/22/2016

08/11/2016

$0 for the 16-17 academic year (continuing borrowers only)

07/29/2016

08/18/2016

$0 for the 16-17 academic year (continuing borrowers only)

08/12/2016

09/01/2016

Any amount

09/02/2016

09/22/2016

Any amount

09/23/2016

10/13/2016

Any amount

10/14/2016

11/03/2016

Any amount

11/04/2016

11/23/2016

Any amount

11/25/2016

12/15/2016

SPRING 2017

Students with Pell Eligibility OF:

Must complete

Direct Loan Questionnaire/Entrance

Counseling/MPN

**To receive Payment

$0 for the 16-17 academic year (continuing borrowers only)

12/16/2016

01/05/2017

$0 for the 16-17 academic year (continuing borrowers only)

12/23/2016

01/12/2017

$0 for the 16-17 academic year (continuing borrowers only)

01/13/2017

01/26/2017

Any amount

02/03/2017

02/16/2017

Any amount

02/24/2017

03/09/2017

Any amount

03/10/2017

03/30/2017

Any amount

03/31/2017

04/20/2017

Any amount

04/28/2017

05/11/2017

PLEASE NOTE: If Fall 2016 is your final semester, the last day to turn in the 16-17 Direct Loan Questionnaire is December 1, 2016. For Spring 2017, May 1, 2017 is the last day to turn in your Direct Loan Questionnaire.

**EC results must be transmitted to Fresno City College and your MPN received and processed by the Direct Loans Servicing Center by the deadline indicated above in order to receive payment on the corresponding date. To ensure that your results are received and processed in time, you should complete the required steps prior to 5:00PM PST on the deadline date.